New Insights into Multitrophic Interactions (Animals-Insects-Plants-Fungi)

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2023) | Viewed by 3389

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Guangdong Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
Interests: microbial ecology; biological control of insect pests; insect molecular biology; applied entomology; chemical ecology; integrated pest management
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Interactions between plants and other species are quite diverse. Notwithstanding the enormous efforts of academic researchers and industry, a general solution to obtain a better understanding of the multitrophic interactions (animals–insects–plants–fungi) remains to be found. Therefore, understanding the alternatives available to each partner when adopting an adaptive response to its biotic or abiotic environment requires the determination of the cellular and molecular communication between animals, plants, fungi, and insects, as well as its ecological and evolutionary implications. New strategies for controlling bacteria or fungal diseases caused by insects or animals are urgently needed. This Special Issue plans to provide an overview of the most recent advances in multitrophic interactions (animals–insects–plants–fungi)  and their applications in diverse areas. This Special Issue aims to provide selected contributions containing the future possibilities and challenges in research on animal–fungi–insect–plant interactions.

Dr. Mubasher Hussain
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • fungi
  • symbionts
  • global change
  • thermal ecology
  • community ecology
  • phylogenetics
  • multitrophic interactions
  • ecological networks
  • plant–insect response
  • climate change

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 2257 KiB  
Article
Occurrence of Pseudomonas syringae pvs. actinidiae, actinidifoliorum and Other P. syringae Strains on Kiwifruit in Northern Spain
by Ana J. González, David Díaz, Marta Ciordia and Elena Landeras
Life 2024, 14(2), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14020208 - 31 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1384
Abstract
Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), the agent causing bacterial canker of kiwifruit, has been present in the Principality of Asturias (PA), Northern Spain, since 2013, although with restricted distribution. In this study, 53 strains collected in kiwifruit orchards in PA during the period [...] Read more.
Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), the agent causing bacterial canker of kiwifruit, has been present in the Principality of Asturias (PA), Northern Spain, since 2013, although with restricted distribution. In this study, 53 strains collected in kiwifruit orchards in PA during the period 2014–2020 were characterized by a polyphasic approach including biochemical and phylogenetic analysis. Thirty-three strains, previously identified by PCR as Psa, have been found to be a homogeneous group in phylogenetic analysis, which seems to indicate that there have been few introductions of the pathogen into the region. Two strains were confirmed as P. syringae pv. actinidifoliorum (Pfm), so this is the first report of Pfm in the PA. The remaining 18 strains were found to be close to P. avellanae and P. syringae pv. antirrhini or to strains described as Pfm look-alikes. Pathogenicity tests carried out on peppers with a selection of strains have shown that both Psa and Pfm caused clear damage, while the 18 atypical strains caused variable lesions. It would be necessary to carry out pathogenicity testing of atypical strains on kiwifruit plants to study the role of these strains in the kiwifruit pathosystem to evaluate their pathogenic potential in this crop. Full article
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12 pages, 1253 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Coccinella Beetle Biological Pest Control via a Floral Approach in Cucumber Greenhouse
by Moazam Hyder, Yuyan Li, Muhammad Fahad Raza, Maosen Zhang, Junjie Chen, Jianjun Mao, Aslam Bukero and Lisheng Zhang
Life 2023, 13(10), 2080; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13102080 - 19 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1502
Abstract
Flower-rich habitats are crucial for promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services within agricultural ecosystems, such as pollination and pest control. The present study investigates the efficacy of employing floral structures as a criterion for the selection of plant species in order to enhance the [...] Read more.
Flower-rich habitats are crucial for promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services within agricultural ecosystems, such as pollination and pest control. The present study investigates the efficacy of employing floral structures as a criterion for the selection of plant species in order to enhance the attraction of natural enemies within cucumber greenhouses, consequently augmenting floral resources. The results of our study provide evidence that flower strips have a beneficial effect on the fitness of critical natural predators, while not facilitating the proliferation of detrimental insect species. These findings exhibit potential for enhancing pest-management services in the agricultural sector. The findings of our study demonstrate that pest levels within greenhouse environments closely resemble those observed in real-world commercial cropping systems. As a result, the introduction of Coccinella septempunctata and Menochilus sexmaculatus biocontrol agents is confirmed to be a reliable and efficient method for pest management. The phenomenon of predator–prey density dependency is recognized as a crucial element in the implementation of biological control strategies. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of floral resources on the reproductive capacity of indigenous predators. The impact of Coriandrum sativum on fertility is substantial, indicating that the presence of a varied plant assortment with overlapping flowering periods can prolong the availability of floral resources. This study highlights the significance of flower-rich habitats and deliberate plant selection in augmenting biodiversity, ecosystem services, and pest management within agricultural settings. The implementation of conservation biological control technologies presents supplementary ecological advantages, thus offering practical implications for the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. Full article
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